MINI Massive for mastering?

[finetuner]

I was wondering if anyone's using the Mini Massive for mastering.

Being one of the very few who don't really dig the Massive Passive, i planned for a demo of it's little 2 band solid state brother. Anything worth metioning?

thanks,
Peter

[Cellotron]

A couple issues you might want to think about:
* with everything continuously variable and the pots slightly more "touchy" in setting specific values than some other designs will make it very difficult to do accurate recalls or match sides with it
* at $2500 for 2 bands there are other competing products which potentially offer more versatility for the same cost

If you really like its sound and can live with these down sides though I'd say go for it - it might make a very good secondary eq to have - but it would not be the best choice as a primary mastering eq imho. So to me if you purchase it - it depends on what eq's you already have - I myself chose to put similar cash into an API 5500 and a used Sontec MEP250EX as secondary eq's to my Medici instead of purchasing a MiniMassive.

Best regards,
Steve Berson

[finetuner]

Thanks for the reply Steve,

Well, i'm using digital eq's only so far and they allow me to do what i want usually.
But since i discovered the magic of good analog compression, i thought it made sense to find an analog eq with character to accompany my STC-8.

I tried the Cranesong Ibis and a Millennia but these seemed so transparent that i thought could be accomplished with digital eq. Guess i'm looking for a real-life version of the Pultec plugin i use now and then.

Funny that you mention the API though, that one was next on my "to try list".
Don't know the Sontec or Medici. I'll be back with some findings on the mini.

cheers,
Peter.

[phild]

Originally Posted by finetuner

Being one of the very few who don't really dig the Massive Passive, i planned for a demo of it's little 2 band solid state brother. Anything worth metioning?

I agree with you here.
Do you know if the mini is a "baxandall" style EQ?

[finetuner]

Originally Posted by phild

Do you know if the mini is a "baxandall" style EQ?

If you want it to: It's got a low and a high section and are switchable between shelve and bell (the high section even has two types of bells to choose from)
That, plus the bandwith also affects the steepness and overshoot of the shelves.

Another nice thing is that there's a switch to dis- or enable the output transformer character.

[Cellotron]

Originally Posted by finetuner

Thanks for the reply Steve,

Well, i'm using digital eq's only so far and they allow me to do what i want usually.
But since i discovered the magic of good analog compression, i thought it made sense to find an analog eq with character to accompany my STC-8.

I tried the Cranesong Ibis and a Millennia but these seemed so transparent that i thought could be accomplished with digital eq. Guess i'm looking for a real-life version of the Pultec plugin i use now and then.

Well - besides these coming up on the used market a good bit - i.e. there's a couple for sale at http://vintageking.com/Equalizers_2 - there's a number of Pultec clones being made too - such as the Amtec - http://www.mercenary.com/ampemoeq.html - although getting 2 of these so you can run stereo would definitely be more expensive than a Minimassive. Personally I don't think the Pultec is that versatile for mastering work so I personally wouldn't choose it as my primary analog mastering eq though.

Funny that you mention the API though, that one was next on my "to try list".

As far as the API 5500 - it has very high headroom, is completely and easily recallable, offers a very good number of frequency centers, and implies a subtle but distinct and usually pleasing coloration. I find it's particularly good with low mid boosts and cuts, and like its shelving when used subtly also - but in general It's main disadvantage versus other eq's is that it operates with a fixed "proportional" Q - so that it's not always versatile.

So - I think it's a great sounding eq - just defintely not what I would buy as a first primary analog mastering eq- instead I would get it if you were looking for a secondary analog eq to compliment another unit.

Don't know the Sontec or Medici.

Both are truly amazing sounding eq's - but are no longer made or supported - so unless you can find a unit in good shape used - and they don't come up for sale often - you'll need to look elsewhere.

Sontec was the company created by Burgess MacNeal and George Massenburg - who are essentially the inventors of "parametric" eq - and made a number of eq's - including the legendary 43x series which was designed specifically for mastering. The 250EX I have was the last model of eq they made and was designed more for mixing studio use as all the cotrols except for band bypass and shelving switches are continously variable - so like the MiniMassive it is difficult to do recalls with it - but because it's sound is extraordinarily sweet - especially in its high shelves - I still find ton of uses for it.

Some further history of Sontec can be read here.
http://www.uaudio.com/webzine/2004/d.../content4.html

The Amek Medici was designed by Rupert Neve for Amek in 1990 during his brief collaboration with them and was only in production for a few years. It's a remarkably versatile eq and features the first appearance of his later ubiquitous "sheen" and "glow" (called "warm" on this box) circuits. It has some of the best sounding upper mid boosts I've heard on any eq. Usually the Medici is the first thing I patch in when ever I want any eq.

I'll be back with some findings on the mini.

Please do!
I'm sure it's an amazing sounding eq - it's just I looked at its basic design and decided that it didn't fit my needs or provide enough bang for buck as I already had other analog solutions for the high and low bands. I'm hoping that Maney would introduce a fully switched or detented version which might get me to change my mind on this.

Best regards,
Steve Berson

[Cellotron]

Originally Posted by finetuner

Another nice thing is that there's a switch to dis- or enable the output transformer character.

I'm pretty sure that output transformers are an option that requires additional cash and that it doesn't come stock with them. Maybe Eveanna can chime in here and clarify this.

Best regards,
Steve Berson

[djs]

i just ordered on and turns out the transformer option is standard

[finetuner]

OK, i promised to get back after testing the MINI Massive eq.

First, i have to set something straight (Phil); the Mini is not a Bandaxall design since the shelves are eh.. shelves i.e they do reach a maximum plateau (boost or cut).

The Quest:
I was looking for an analog eq that offers something extra next to a standard "workhorse" eq (in my case digital only). Probably to be patched after the analog compressor for that little extra sub low and/or "air" when needed.

I also have to remind you that i'm not so into tubes and transformers *.
Otherwise a Massive Passive, a pair of real Pultecs or clones would be more appropriate. A matter of taste of cause.

* About transformers - In this tread i mentioned a transformer bypass switch.
As i understand now, output transformers are option but to test the buyers findings, Manley decided to ship all units initially including them and make them switchable (actually 3 settings:, off - normal - vintage).
So the demo unit has them installed and immediately showed what i dislike about transformers. It kills the transients and tightness that i so carefully try to preserve in mastering. Needless to say i had it switched off most of the time...

The Verdict:
The MINI Massive seems to fulfill my needs perfectly.
Like many a good analog eq, this thing is quite smooth/forgiving. And in that sense i don't really miss detented controls of q and level (the freq's are switched).
The level control reacts very different depending on the q setting for instance. So you may find youself adding 8 dB easily.
Have to be careful there, like in a big car you don't notice driving too fast..

Especially the q control when in shelve mode, makes the unit more versatile than you might think from a 2 band eq. It really allows you to add sub or air without adding boom or hiss respectively.
Just as the manual stated, you might choose freq's a bit different than intended initially. Well, let's describe that as another proof of character ;-)

It seems to do something pleasant to the sound when switched in even without actually eq-ing. This may be subscribed to the amp stages ?

I've tested the unit on new heavy material (digital) and dull tapes with funk and pop music for remastering.

Conclusion:
A very nice'n'smooth eq with vintage behaviour but cleaner sound.
Indeed not your first or only eq but a welcome addition for those who consider real vintage equipment too noisy, mudding, hard to service/replace OR already got some haha.

Regards,
Peter.

[edIT]

Just got mine today too I actually just sold my Massive Passive on ebay 2 weeks agao and was looking for a new bus EQ to go after my STC-8. I write mostly hip-hop and electronic music and was looking for the same thing... a bus EQ that could give me back a hair of bass and tops that I lose for the STC-8 which is not a whole lot to begin with. I too am not really into tubes either. The Massive was an outstanding piece but the warm color rounded out my drums a little too much and color was needless to say.... too colorful. The Mini Massive is an amazing piece. Been using it across the mix bus and man...... I think the search for an EQ is over. This past week I've had a GML 8200, Ibis and EQ-2NV all in my studio and I must say the sound of the Mini Massive works best for my material. Like the Massive Passive, the shelves are really smooth and you can actually crank the EQ quite a bit and still not feel like the hi's are breaking up. The low band also doesn't smear my kicks that much and I pretty much retain all my punch in the low end. The lows on this thing are deep rich and solid. For those Massive Passive owners out there who think the MP is too colorful and pretty much only always use the highest and lowest band....... This EQ is for you! I like it best with the transformer option in bypass.

[powerestudio]

Can be mini massive good combo with nseq 2 with FF mod ?

regards